EMT/Paramedic Salary in 2026
EMTs and paramedics provide emergency medical care to injured or ill patients, performing assessments, administering treatments, and transporting patients to medical facilities.
Median Salary
$44,470
$3,706/mo
Entry Level
$32,800
starting pay
Senior Level
$59,700
experienced
Job Growth
+7%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Emergency Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2042, the closest published occupation to EMT/Paramedic) at a national median of $44,470 per year (mean $46,830), or $21.38 per hour, with 180,510 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
EMT/Paramedic Overview
EMTs and paramedics provide emergency medical care to injured or ill patients, performing assessments, administering treatments, and transporting patients to medical facilities.
Education
Certificate/Associate's
Experience
EMT training
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
181K
5-Year Growth
+11%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$21.38/hr
Monthly Pay
$3,706
EMT/Paramedic Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated EMT/Paramedic salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated EMT/Paramedic Salary
$51,000
$4,250/month · $1,962/biweekly · $24.52/hr
EMT/Paramedic Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the EMT/Paramedic field.
Entry-level EMT/Paramedics earn around $32,800, while the top 10% earn $67,900 or more.
Top Paying States for EMT/Paramedics
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $52,000 | +$7,530 |
| New York | $51,000 | +$6,530 |
| Texas | $44,000 | $-470 |
| Florida | $44,000 | $-470 |
| Ohio | $42,000 | $-2,470 |
Top Paying Cities for EMT/Paramedics
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $52,000 | +$7,530 |
| Los Angeles | $50,000 | +$5,530 |
| Miami | $45,000 | +$530 |
| Houston | $44,000 | $-470 |
| Columbus | $42,000 | $-2,470 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
EMT/Paramedic Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for EMT/Paramedic.
- Austin, TX
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Clovis, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Deltona, FL
- Denver, CO
- Fort Worth, TX
- Fresno, CA
- Honolulu, HI
- Houston, TX
- Inglewood, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Mcallen, TX
- Meridian, ID
- Milwaukee, WI
- Mobile, AL
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- Newark, NJ
- Norfolk, VA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Orange, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Riverside, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Tyler, TX
- Ventura, CA
- West Palm Beach, FL
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
EMT/Paramedic Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a EMT/Paramedic from entry level to expert.
$32,800
0-2 years
$46,000
3-7 years
$59,700
8-14 years
$76,100
15+ years
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EMT/Paramedic Salary FAQ
How much does a EMT/Paramedic make in 2026?
The median salary for a EMT/Paramedic in the United States is $44,470 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Emergency Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2042); the mean is $46,830. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $32,800, senior professionals around $59,700, and top earners at $76,100 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a EMT/Paramedic?
A EMT/Paramedic typically requires a Certificate/Associate's with EMT training of experience. Key skills include Emergency Medical Care, CPR/AED, IV Therapy. Relevant certifications such as NREMT or State EMT License can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for EMT/Paramedics?
The job market for EMT/Paramedics is projected to grow by 7% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 181K EMT/Paramedic positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 11%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay EMT/Paramedics the most?
The highest-paying states for EMT/Paramedics include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $52,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my EMT/Paramedic salary?
To increase your EMT/Paramedic salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Emergency Medical Care and CPR/AED. Pursue certifications such as NREMT. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With EMT training of experience, you can progress from $32,800 to $59,700 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: EMT/Paramedic Salary
How we calculate EMT/Paramedic salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Emergency Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2042), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $44,470, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Emergency Medical Technicians; BLS mean $46,830; BLS hourly median $21.38.
- Entry-level ($32,800) and senior-level ($59,700) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +7% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 180,510 Emergency Medical Technicians jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 11% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Certificate/Associate's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $44,470; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for EMT/Paramedic compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, EMT/Paramedic job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: EMT/Paramedic salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Emergency Medical Care, CPR/AED, IV Therapy), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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